Arthritis pain: How to get treatment FAST - do this for immediate treatment

RHEUMATOID arthritis, osteoarthritis and other forms of the condition cause symptoms including pain, swelling and stiffness. The condition tends to affect joints. You could get diagnosed in one GP appointment, just 10 minutes, by following these simple steps.

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Arthritis symptoms: How to get the painful signs diagnosed in 10 minutes

“It’s possible to get a diagnosis in the first appointment,” said Benjamin Ellis, a Rheumatologist and Senior Policy Adviser at Arthritis Research UK.

“I would always recommend before they see a doctor is just to have a think through of what your symptoms are, when it began, what makes them worse, anything you’ve tried that helps, because that’s going to help with the diagnosis.

“Very often just from listening and asking questions and examining people you can make the diagnosis.

“We all do it - we go to the doctor and our mind goesblank - but if we’ve got two or three things written down that you really want to make sure are checked that’s really helpful.”

During this first appointment you may get an initial diagnosis, or may be told to come back in a few weeks to see how you’re getting on.

Dr Roger Henderson, a GP in Shropshire, recommends trying to measure pain you’re experiencing from one to 10 to try to help with the diagnosis.

“The more someone has thought about their problems will help them save time,” says Roger Henderson, a GP in Shropshire.

“Say 'this is why I’m here today, this is my pain', and give a nice breakdown of what that pain is. That’s brilliant and anyone who says that gets a big hug.”

“Think on a scale of one to 10, if zero is no pain at all and 10 is the most unbearable pain you’ve ever had in the world, how bad is your pain?”

You can measure this by thinking of the scenario where you’ve experienced the worst pain you ever have, defining what that was, and then work along the chart until you find the level of pain you’re currently experiencing.

Arthritis symptoms: Pain in the joints could be diagnosed in 10 minutes (Image: Getty Images)

You could be more at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis due to your genes, hormones or if you’re a smoker, according to the NHS.

Your risk of osteoarthritis may increase if you have a joint injury, are older, have a family history of the condition or are overweight.

“As part of normal life, your joints are exposed to a constant low level of damage,” says the NHS on its website.

“In most cases, your body repairs the damage itself and you don’t experience any symptoms.

“But in osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. Bony growths can develop, and the area can become inflamed.”

Solpadeine MAX tablets, which contain paracetamol and codeine, can be purchased from Boots for £6.99